Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescent Girls in a Ugandan HIV Clinic: A Cross‐Sectional Survey

ABSTRACT Objective Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination prevents HPV infections and associated diseases, such as cervical cancer. HPV vaccination is particularly important in areas with high HIV prevalence, as women living with HIV have increased risk of developing cancer from HPV infection. Under...

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Main Authors: JaNiese E. Jensen, Jacqueline Balungi Kanywa, Patricia Nahirya Ntege, Greta L. Becker, Linder H. Wendt, J. Brooks Jackson, Mary B. Rysavy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Reproductive, Female and Child Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/rfc2.70023
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author JaNiese E. Jensen
Jacqueline Balungi Kanywa
Patricia Nahirya Ntege
Greta L. Becker
Linder H. Wendt
J. Brooks Jackson
Mary B. Rysavy
author_facet JaNiese E. Jensen
Jacqueline Balungi Kanywa
Patricia Nahirya Ntege
Greta L. Becker
Linder H. Wendt
J. Brooks Jackson
Mary B. Rysavy
author_sort JaNiese E. Jensen
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Objective Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination prevents HPV infections and associated diseases, such as cervical cancer. HPV vaccination is particularly important in areas with high HIV prevalence, as women living with HIV have increased risk of developing cancer from HPV infection. Understanding reasons why patients are and are not vaccinated may help increase uptake of the vaccine. Methods A survey was administered to girls 10–18 years old and their caretakers in an HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda. The survey consisted of questions regarding demographics, HPV awareness, vaccination history, and attitudes towards vaccination. Results Of 297 survey participants, 213 (72%) had heard of the HPV vaccine, and 142 (48%) reported previously receiving the vaccine, most commonly at school or with a healthcare provider. Most unvaccinated girls cited lack of knowledge or lack of access to the vaccine as reasons for not being vaccinated. Nearly all (94%) unvaccinated girls were willing to receive the vaccine. The most common reason for interest in vaccination was to prevent cervical cancer and warts. Caretakers generally had a positive perception of the HPV vaccine, with nearly all female caretakers also expressing willingness to receive the HPV vaccine themselves, should they have the opportunity. Conclusions In a survey of HIV‐positive young women at an Ugandan clinic, interest in HPV vaccination was high, but the majority of patients had not previously received the HPV vaccine. Lack of education about the vaccine and lack of knowledge regarding access to the vaccine are common barriers to vaccination uptake.
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spelling doaj-art-e9f13ba2b31c49bf92788342cd22fde42025-08-20T03:32:15ZengWileyReproductive, Female and Child Health2768-72282025-06-0142n/an/a10.1002/rfc2.70023Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescent Girls in a Ugandan HIV Clinic: A Cross‐Sectional SurveyJaNiese E. Jensen0Jacqueline Balungi Kanywa1Patricia Nahirya Ntege2Greta L. Becker3Linder H. Wendt4J. Brooks Jackson5Mary B. Rysavy6University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USABaylor Foundation Uganda Center of Excellence Kampala UgandaBaylor Foundation Uganda Center of Excellence Kampala UgandaUniversity of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USAInstitute for Clinical and Translational Science University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USADepartment of Pathology Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USADepartment of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston Texas USAABSTRACT Objective Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination prevents HPV infections and associated diseases, such as cervical cancer. HPV vaccination is particularly important in areas with high HIV prevalence, as women living with HIV have increased risk of developing cancer from HPV infection. Understanding reasons why patients are and are not vaccinated may help increase uptake of the vaccine. Methods A survey was administered to girls 10–18 years old and their caretakers in an HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda. The survey consisted of questions regarding demographics, HPV awareness, vaccination history, and attitudes towards vaccination. Results Of 297 survey participants, 213 (72%) had heard of the HPV vaccine, and 142 (48%) reported previously receiving the vaccine, most commonly at school or with a healthcare provider. Most unvaccinated girls cited lack of knowledge or lack of access to the vaccine as reasons for not being vaccinated. Nearly all (94%) unvaccinated girls were willing to receive the vaccine. The most common reason for interest in vaccination was to prevent cervical cancer and warts. Caretakers generally had a positive perception of the HPV vaccine, with nearly all female caretakers also expressing willingness to receive the HPV vaccine themselves, should they have the opportunity. Conclusions In a survey of HIV‐positive young women at an Ugandan clinic, interest in HPV vaccination was high, but the majority of patients had not previously received the HPV vaccine. Lack of education about the vaccine and lack of knowledge regarding access to the vaccine are common barriers to vaccination uptake.https://doi.org/10.1002/rfc2.70023adolescentsHIVHPVUgandavaccinations
spellingShingle JaNiese E. Jensen
Jacqueline Balungi Kanywa
Patricia Nahirya Ntege
Greta L. Becker
Linder H. Wendt
J. Brooks Jackson
Mary B. Rysavy
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescent Girls in a Ugandan HIV Clinic: A Cross‐Sectional Survey
Reproductive, Female and Child Health
adolescents
HIV
HPV
Uganda
vaccinations
title Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescent Girls in a Ugandan HIV Clinic: A Cross‐Sectional Survey
title_full Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescent Girls in a Ugandan HIV Clinic: A Cross‐Sectional Survey
title_fullStr Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescent Girls in a Ugandan HIV Clinic: A Cross‐Sectional Survey
title_full_unstemmed Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescent Girls in a Ugandan HIV Clinic: A Cross‐Sectional Survey
title_short Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescent Girls in a Ugandan HIV Clinic: A Cross‐Sectional Survey
title_sort human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescent girls in a ugandan hiv clinic a cross sectional survey
topic adolescents
HIV
HPV
Uganda
vaccinations
url https://doi.org/10.1002/rfc2.70023
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